SportsNet - November 2012

The Houston Texans (10-1) have struggled mightily the last two weeks, becoming the first team to go through two overtime games in the span of five days. However, they were able to come out with the win both times, although in fairly controversial circumstances against the Detroit Lions.

In both wins the Texans demonstrated that they are a well-rounded team capable of winning games in a number of different ways. However, a porous secondary and numerous injuries (which have contributed to the porous secondary) have raised red flags.

It’s a foregone conclusion. With Notre Dame already in the BCS title game, Saturday’s SEC championship is pretty much meaningless. It’ll just be a contest to see what team serves as the sacrificial lamb to be slayed at the Irish’s all-powerful hands this coming January.

Alabama, Georgia … geez, how will either stand a chance? Golden Dome nation has spoken and already cleared the space for that 12th national crown in the trophy case.

Mark it down, 2012 – the race to decide college football’s top dog, it’s over.

Or so Irish fans hope, if not believe.

In all seriousness, ND supporters have been kinda reserved about pushing the above notion. If anything, they’ve shied away from it … but someone has to take the fall for any avoidance of highlighting this weekend’s matchup of the country’s second- and third-ranked teams.

Why do so? Hey, why not – it gets a little boring when the SEC leads the way seemingly every week, in terms of exposure and quality.

Thing is, the most intriguing duel on conference championship week is the one that would have most going … who … what … come again?

In 2014, college football will implement a four team playoff system that will give us two semi-final games followed by a national championship game. By the time it’s in place, it will have been long overdue. For over a decade, each passing December brought debate after debate as to who really deserved to be playing in the championship game. There was never a consensus. Someone always felt like they got the shaft. Until this year.

Thanks to the SEC, we have our own semi-final game of sorts in the form of the SEC Championship. When the #2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide take on the #3 ranked Georgia Bulldogs tomorrow on CBS at 4pm EST, it will be for all the marbles. Well, all but one-the big one. But it is for the right to play Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship game.

On the evidence of his first five games in charge of the Los Angeles Lakers, coach Mike D’Antoni is facing a problem that will feel all-too familiar: he has an all-star player at his disposal unable to thrive in his system.

Arsenal has been having a pretty hard time. Their summer transfer? None of them show the kind of quality Wenger wants to see in them. Their 5 recent matches end with Draw (1-1 v everton) Draw ( 0-0 v Aston Villa) Win (2-0 v Montpellier) Win (5-2 v Tottenham Hotspurs) and draw (3-3 v Fulham). They still dont have what it takes to score and to defend well. The 3-3 Draw against Fulham is a prove how fragile their defense is, I’m not blaming the goalkeeper but their defense. Before their match against Arsenal, Fulham 5 recent matches is Draw (2-2 v Everton) Draw (3-3 v Reading) Win (1-0 v Aston Villa) Draw (2-2 v Southampton) And lose (2-1 v Man City).